U.K Online Fashion Shops

It's been long overdue since I last updated a list of E shops, this instalment of Link Love is staying right here in the U.K  - Why? because all four web-shops are based in the U.K. I'm always on the look see for new and undiscovered on-line stores, sometimes it's preferable if the stores are U.K based saving me mintage on the delivery costs.  

YAYER

The name of the store is Yayer for hells yes! for it's eclectic mix of vintage and modern pieces. There items sell out extremely quick, they currently have free shipping until midnight. I'd make the most of it!

ROCK N ROSE

Rock N Rose a British vintage inspired jewellery brand. Pretty impressed with the design and quality of their product, they usually keep up to date with the latest edgy styles. 

Rock ‘N Rose was officially established in the North East in 2007. Today, the girls spend their time visiting vintage shops and working out of their Yarm studio - where they design, source and rework by hand with a small team of amazing girls.

JUNK&DISORDERLY

An independent big cartel store ran by Josie, providing rad hand finished friendship bracelets, from frenemies spiked bracelet to a friend crush embellished bracelet. Proving that friendship bracelets aren't just for kids any-more.

STUDDED & STONED

Labels stocked at this Brit boutique come from all across the globe, including Mawi, Leviticus, Erin Wasson and Bjorg to name but a few, also featuring an original and unusual selection of young and established designers and designs from the UK. 

G Dragon Dinosaur Earrings

Catch these Dinosaur earrings on G-Dragon, they look like the herbivore kind, not a T. Rex or it could munch up the ear lobe and more ;) I know what to do with unwanted toys now! a DIY inspiration.

You can get the similar look at alteregojewelery by Erika Walton for only $25. Hand-made in LA. Recycled vintage toys comes in an assortment of your choice of Dinosaur, Rawr! 

Tasty Things No.2 : Queens Jubilee

At the last minute I was compelled to dish up a Jubilee inspired 'tasty things' feature, chink those china tea cups in a toast!!

Row 1 : 

print your own Eastwing bunting ready for the jubilee celebrations this weekend!

Rebel Nails have launched a Jubilee-inspired range of nail art wraps

Row 2 : 

fun Queen Elizabeth II diamond Jubilee infographic

Looking for some Jubilee recipes fit for a queen?

Queens Jubilee : Street Art Banksy

Summer 2012 emerges to be a chock - full festive season with the Olympics kicking off on 27th July, Euro 2012 8th June and The Queen’s Jubilee this coming weekend.  In case some of you have been in hiding :) , this weekend is the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, and marks the Queen’s 60th year on the throne, I'm not a royalist but I guess it's not often we get a 4 day weekend to kick back, so have a long glorious weekend folks.

Banksy piece has been spotted on the outer wall of a Poundland near the Turnpike Lane Tube station with bunting in tow inspired by the Queen's upcoming Diamond Jubilee and notably shed's light on child labour issues. Why Poundland? Well over the past few years, the company has been at the centre of controversy after it was revealed that a seven-year-old boy was working 100 hour weeks to produce their goods. The company have since severed ties with the supplier in question.

I like how the piece is made 3D and lifted with the use of the fabric flag bunting, but more-so for the statement this street art brings.

Tokyo Walk Way No. 6

It's been a while! since I've last hatched together an Asian street style post. Prepare yourself for a blitz of bold style and eccentricity put on display, Tokyo-a-go-go !!

Street photo's courtesy of DropTokyo + Fashionsnap + Ridsnap

{Runway} Romance was Born meets Marvel comics

Who doesn't secretly wish they were a superhero ?! superheroes have not only started to leap from pages, to the big screen but also onto this Romance was Born collection made in cooperation with Marvel comics. A super blend of nerd chic iconography with dynamic structured silhouettes and half-tone patterns packed a punch, while still being wearable on a day where you would feel playful and herolike. It's one more reason why comic books should not be mocked.  

Though truth be told I have never read a comic book! but I've always wanted to go to a comic-con, the world of comics, graphic novels, anime and manga is enticing.

The friendship between superheros and fashion is a powerful one; they both obsess over the body, its transformation and identity.” described the designing duo Luke Sales and Anna Plunkett.

Snapshots No.9 Bow Ties

O1

Denim bow tie with gold hardware and swarovski crystal 

Denim brooch , pocket charm and pendant with gold hardware and swarovski crystal 

Black Neoporene bow tie with gold hardware and swarvoski crystal stone by McKenzie Liautaud

O2

Neck Specs take a fresh look at the most classic of all ties: the bow tie by thinkofthe

O3

With a feminine flare to create a force of confidence, individuality, and style by Tycoon neck wear 

O4

Guitar picks at madeinforesthills 

O5

Papillon Black bow tie knotted with studs by steve&co 

O6

Silver & Gold Riches bow tie at thinkabitbigger

O7

Legos bow tie at madeinforesthills 

O8

Christopher Chaun "Finale II" Flower & Chain Leather Bow Tie

Christopher Chaun "Finale Giselle" Flower & Chain Leather Bow Tie at robotandbrucling 

O9

Christopher Chaun "Hampton Knight III" Seersucker Bow Tie

Christopher Chaun "Moto 24k" Studded Bow Tie at robotandbrucling 

10

 custom handcrafted bow ties, combines masculine and feminine, by POMEDÔRO 

Kokeshi Matches

Kokeshi ( Japanese Dolls ) + Matches = high levels of dainty pieces of adorableness, but I would be sad to set them alight. I could never strike that little panda face to light the match!! These matches may look child friendly but okay kids you can't be handling these. Frame them .. hang them on the walls .. or use them. 

Fragmented Chronical RINGS

A collection of 100 rings, each with a landscape frozen inside created by Hong Kong-based design duo Chan Oi yau Riyo and Kwong Ho Sun Howard from Shannnam. Like something in between miniature art and a snow globe. Each is a visual tale invoking a reaction and stirring the imagination of the wearer, portraying the world as it should be, filled with love and mystery, inspiring and eye-catching.

Completely handmade available online at Shannam .

Summer Skin Care Tips

Stay sun-safe this summer
If you’re heading to the beach this summer, you’ll probably be looking forward to hitting the shops to stock up on 2012′s latest swimsuits, sarongs and kaftans –but do you want to flaunt healthy skin this summer? Then, who is stopping you? it’s worth taking note of these simple beauty tips I try to fulfil that I picked up from a good friend of mine who is the uber health devotee.

1. Firstly, make sure that your skin is soft, supple and ready to be shown off. Start moisturising after you shower at least two weeks before you jet off to the sun. Add exfoliation to your weekly beauty routine to rid yourself of dead skin and reveal a glowing complexion. This will also help your skin to absorb a deep, long-lasting sun kissed look.

2. Make sure you top up on plenty of sunscreen to protect your skin from harmful UV rays. Stock up on a few different factors but try not to expose your skin to strong sun with anything less than a factor 20. Also try to take regular breaks from sun exposure and seek out shade during the hottest periods of the day – usually between 12pm and 3pm.

3. Give your skin the moisture and nutrients it needs to recover from time spent in the sun. If your skin is feeling prickly or burnt in any areas, then try applying aloe vera gel to cool and soothe, this usually does the trick. You should also continue your moisturising regime while you’re away, and for a week or two when you return. Not only will this reverse the drying effects of the sun’s rays, but it will also prolong your tan and leave you looking sun-kissed and healthy for as long as possible.

4. Finally, ensure that you’re equipped with the appropriate clothing so that you can enjoy the outdoors while keeping your skin covered. As well as grabbing a sunhat, sunglasses and a t-shirt that covers your shoulders, think about getting a range of ladies swimwear that will allow you to alter your tan lines and cover sensitive areas. You can always pack strapless bikinis to avoid bad suntan marks.

Look at women’s swimwear suits that have a variety of straps, including a more conservative option that can cover more skin to give you a day to rest and recover without having to miss out on the pool. Then the summer's scintillating daylight can finally wrap up its realms of gold for the day.

Tanning can be one of the things some of us Asian women avoid like the plague, but trying to achieve healthy skin instead can have positive effects on your mood and make you look and feel healthier! Happy Beach going ! I'm looking forward to mine just need to pick a destination. ..decisions decisions.

Photography and post-production courtesy of Ana Dias

Braided Triad Color Hair

This prominent Korean singer named Junsu, is donning a rad creative individual hair style for his MV 'Talantallegra' with a triad of vibrant colors from blue blond to plum, beyond these tasty confectionery colours is a bounteous braid swept to the van-ward side. He certainly rounds off the look by adding a soft purple coloured eyebrows. See some more colorific eyebrows here. Kudos to his creative hair stylist and make-up artist. 

Color Harvest : That girl

Right now, just outside our window it's wet miserable and windy .. the coldest May in years yipee! so was in the mood for a color harvist, reflecting actual peppy summer colors and beachwear, I dig the contrasting yellow shade of lipstick, and the big candy coloured hair and vintage candy striped head scarf. Retro charm !  

Photographer: Pablo Albacete 

Make up & Hair: Yurema Villa 

Stylist: Patty Cereijo

The end of underweight models ?

Life is a runway, with diverse paths but less so for the contemporary runway model at present. Models need to be tall and statuesque strutting like peacocks with there fine grace and movement, there an an elusive figure - sought after, highly desired, mostly for there good genetics long limbs and willowy figures. Albeit this may be the case, unhealthy underweight models have left a lasting mark on teenage girls all over the world. The result of a skewed ideal of beauty.

Models have strived to meet the criteria so they could land the high paying jobs, but the pressures were so great, that sadly at times became life-threatening situations for some.

Last week, all 19 editors of international fashion magazine, Vogue, pledged to stop using underweight and underage models in their magazines. Hooray! it's a tiny step in the right direction, Not only will this show off women’s clothing the sound way it should be worn, but the misinterpreted illusion that you have to be dangerously willowy to be pretty is slowly, but surely, disappearing off the magazine shelves in newsagents in every country around the globe.

Hopefully there is no need to go to the extreme side of the pendulum and suggest that underweight models are not fit to participate in editorials and runway, considering they are healthy. After decades of underweight models in the fashion industry and cries of criticism from all corners of the health industry, this step in the right direction will hopefully lead the way in healthy models, decked in all there refinery.

Conde Nast International Chairman, Jonathon Newhouse stated that, “Vogue believes that good health is beautiful,” after the worldwide fashion Bible pledged to “not knowingly work with models under the age of 16 or who appear to have an eating disorder.”

Good news seeing will be believing Vogue ! at least its a start !!! photo courtesy of Italian artist Anna Utopia Giordano.

{Runway} Amato Couture Perth Fashion Week

I have no words to utter but marvelling affection for this Amato Haute Couture collection made exclusively for Perth Fashion Week 2012. Treating us to a never before seen range of couture gowns, along with badassical glittering embellished headdresses and colossal chandelier earrings and beads chains draped across their faces. I'm definitely feeling an extravagant Indian maharaja vibe from the ornate accessories. Creative master Furne One is proudly carrying the Philippine flag.

Inspired by the World War One era exotic dancer turned spy Mata Hari, the collection featured intricately embellished and highly detailed haute couture garments with a hint of Indian opulence.

Jaw droppingly extravagant pieces, with studded embellished bells and whistles that only maharajahs could bring, hitting all the high notes of Haute Couture. 2012 will be a monumental year for Furne One and Amato Couture following the successful opening of the brands first boutique in the US, in Los Angeles and plans to expand further.

Photo's courtesy of Emma Bergmeier

Music Monday Playlist

hey hey hey afternoon folks ! Mondays can sometimes be rough especially for the red side of Manchester today, for those of you who follow football.. you'll know I mean !! I hope your Monday is wonderful, here’s to another week!

I claim no responsibility should you go deaf  ; )

TRACKLIST

01 Sweater Weather - The Neighbourhood
02 I Know Where You Sleep - Lissy Trullie
03 Beautiful Life - jj
04 Need Your love - The Temper Trap
05 Jasmine - Jai Paul
06 Let it Go - Dragonette
07 Flutterby - Starlight Girls
08 White Coats - Foxes

Listen 

Your portrait as a vintage Chinese propaganda hero

History was always one of my favourite subjects.. politics not so much !! but both of them go hand in hand. 

I know pretty much zilch about Chinese Maoism, though im aware Chinese vintage propaganda posters has always been notable for it's red and black artistic impressions of a surreal cartoonist style and producing extraordinary poster designs, capturing the stalwart nature of the soaring human spirit of the peoples optimism. A large number of the posters are quite unique, and will bedazzle forever in the history of Chinese art. 

Now you can have your portrait oil painted like a chinese propoganda artist ! Become a hero ! check out Maoart. 

Maoart paintings integrate with virtuosity real people’s faces into faithfully reproduced propaganda posters. Based on a photograph provided by you and a poster of your choice, an artist renders you as a socialist hero. Each painting requires several days of work, and the result is always outstanding. It's a very original gift idea.

The element of romanticism makes the arts more visionary and what has more sentimentality than yours or your loved ones portrait. Beware not to brainwash the masses!

DIY nutshell No.1

Row 1 :

make your very own DIY film roll place cards over at ruffled blog 
print on fabric free decorative monograms for photo albums
create a DIY studded collar denim shirt

Row 2 :

paint a moss graffiti for your walls or garden
Get ombre colored nails without buying multiple shades of the same color
customize your paper bag with anything you would like on the front!

Row 3 :

craigslist desk drawer makeover 

make your own solar jar for garden or camping
dip dyed hair tutorial 

Jan Taminiau Couture Spring Summer 2012

It would be unambiguous to say these are not your garden variety shoes, kudos to the models who manoeuvred these magnificent sculptures with there legs and feet. Dutch designer Jan Taminiau showed his "Tarnished Beauty" collection during Paris Haute Couture.

The World's First Interactive Shoppable Music Video

Folks at SSENSE have launched the first interactive shoppable music video! pretty cool huh! [though I heard ASOS did it first] All performers in the video of the premier 'I think she ready' were styled exclusively by SSENSE, where you can shop Iggy’s, FKi’s and Diplo’s looks using interactive hotspot technology from wireWAX. Although viewers probably couldn't afford half of the clothes for sale including moi, the video is a tribute to high fashion and the next generation of shopping.

SSENSE CEO Rami Atallah explains, “This is the first time the worlds of music, fashion and commerce have truly overlapped. The integration we are introducing between technology, entertainment and retail with this video not only creates a unique experience for the audience, but also has utility. People often wonder what performers are wearing, where they can purchase that item – we have bridged that gap.”

You can use the exact same technology for free, if you as bloggers like to create make-up, diy video tutorials. There's a free package available at wireWAX though it's probably limited as subscription provides more, but I anticipate we'll be seeing alot more of taggable video tools soon. 

Check out an older music post I created with an image taggable tool called Thinglink, they now charge for the service but it's a pretty neat tool. 

Colorific Brows

To the hair colour chameleons, would you consider experimenting with color on your eyebrows ? 

It may not be surprising that colour has migrated to the eyebrows, there's abundance of different colour for lips, mascara, eye-liner & hair, so are eyebrows a swing too far? Could be yeah! but that's a not a bad thing in my book, pushing the boundaries and being individual is a quality I admire. 

Speaking for myself, I would not be able to pull off coloured eyebrows. Randomly enough I feel compelled to conjure up the image of Spock with Vulcan upward pointed coloured eyebrows ? His eyebrows were always a trademark as well as his pointed ears.

Leutton Postle backstage image courtesy of Krisatomtic CQQUSD4YJRQC

Link Love: Three Floor Fashion

This instalment of link love is sent to Central Saint Martins graduate Han Chong , he is the mind behind the affordable, stylish Three Floor Fashion.com. There's a super range of edgy individual womenswear with surprisingly reasonable prices all under the £150 mark, it's rare to see a graduate of Central Saint Martins emerge with a debut line that is both affordable which does not compromise on design or quality. I'm not sure quite how I managed to miss out on Three Floor Fashion until now.

THREE FLOOR FASHION

Launched in November 2011, THREE FLOOR is a new online fashion brand breaking the mould for affordable design. Showcasing a cleverly seductive style ...